After experiencing the luxury of riding in a hovercraft designed for someone as prestige as the lord of the Idun District, Miku found the typical passenger hovercrafts her family utilized more or less lacking. There were no separate rooms for spending the night or a lounge in which to gather with one's fellow passengers to talk or play games. This hovercraft had nothing for its passengers save a few rows of seats comfortable enough to sit in for more than a few hours but not much room to stretch one's legs or any space to get up and walk around if one was getting a little restless.
At least, Miku decided, we're renting this one out so there's nobody else here with us.
It took far more of Miku's time than she wanted to spend arguing with her mother about allowing Miku to visit Luka without an escort. For some reason, Rin wasn't good enough to accompany Miku on the trip. It didn't make sense to Miku that Rin was specifically requested by her mother back at the academy but now it seemed that there was no reason in all of Artemis for Miku and Rin to even be within the same room.
At the thought of the Juliet, Miku looked over to see Rin reading. It was rather odd almost any time Miku looked over at Rin, the blonde had her nose stuck in a book. Sometimes Miku wondered if it was because Rin enjoyed reading so much or because Rin didn't know what to do with herself if she didn't have an immediate task at hand.
"I appreciate your coming with me," Miku said, eyes traveling back to look out the window. Somehow, nothing about the world below was beautiful to Miku. Even the array of colors was lackluster. "I knew you and Gakuko didn't really know each other or talk or anything, but . . . I'm just glad I don't have to be alone."
It was perhaps a few minutes later before Rin replied, "You aren't going to be alone, Miku, even if I didn't come with you. We are on our way to meet with Ms. Megurine, after all."
"Yes, but . . . ," Miku reached out to take Rin's hand but stopped herself before her own hand could get far from her armrest, "I, um, I suppose I meant I don't have to spend any part of this process alone. If you weren't here right now, I would be alone. I would be alone every night while I'm gone, sleeping in a room by myself. Then I would be alone again on the trip back. With you here, I don't have to spend any time alone if I don't want to."
Rin seemed to consider this before she nodded. It was the only response she gave. No other words traveled past her lips as she resumed reading.
So much of Miku wanted to ask Rin what was wrong. She wanted to know why the Juliet was acting strangely. Their relationship had not been this tense since they became friends, and now Miku wasn't even sure if they were still friends considering the ways they had been interacting.
Yet Miku again chose to say nothing. When Rin was ready, she would talk about whatever it was that bothered her. Miku had to have faith that if she waited instead of trying to break down Rin's walls, Rin would let her in when the time was right.
The rest of the ride was spent in an uncomfortable silence Miku never would have before imagined between Rin and her. When the hovercraft landed, Rin excused herself to get the bags. Miku offered to help, but Rin shook her head and told her to not keep Luka waiting.
Frowning but not arguing, Miku did what Rin suggested. Miku took a deep breath as she prepared to exit from the hovercraft. When the doors opened, Miku squinted as the sunlight poured in and washed over her features.
When her eyes adjusted, Miku saw a small field to descend to get her feet back on the earth. Men and women wandered about the premises, preparing the next hovercraft for its takeoff a couple of hours from now. Luka stood a few yards away from the craft.
Overcome with joy at seeing her former classmate and friend, Miku scurried down the decline and rushed towards Luka, who ran to meet Miku halfway. The two Cinderellas collided, and they held each other in a tight embrace. Miku didn't know when they started crying, but she was aware of Luka's and her tears when she felt small, hot droplets of liquid splash onto her bare neck.
"I have missed you so much!" Luka broke the hug and held Miku at arm's length. "Oh, you are as beautiful as ever! How have you been holding up since I saw you last?"
Right then, Miku wanted to fall into Luka's arms and tell her everything that had happened since they had last seen each other and how Miku had been trying with questionable success to handle it. She wanted to finally cry into someone's arms over witnessing Gakuko's cold murder and fearing that she was going to watch Rin's death next. A larger part of Miku wanted to tell Luka about Rin's confession and ask the pinkette what she thought about it, but Miku knew she shouldn't speak the words she couldn't say to Rin to another. There was so much built up in Miku she wanted to get out. Pieces of her wanted to fully confess to every stress, minor or major, that led her to binge.
However, Miku didn't do any of those things. What she did was take a deep breath, hold herself together, and suggest, "Perhaps we should discuss this over lunch?"
"An excellent idea." Luka frowned. "Although I don't know if I'll be able to eat much at all."
"Well, I'll eat more than enough for the both of us." Miku tried to pat her belly and smile mischievously, but she didn't have to see herself to know the actions didn't have the effect she desired.
Smiling sadly, Luka shook her head and said, "Don't put yourself down to make me feel better. Besides, I know how much you love dessert. I won't shame you for showing that love."
It isn't you who I'm worried about shaming me. Deciding to not say anything on the subject, Miku simply smiled and nodded. There would be other times to talk about this, or at least Miku hoped there would be.
It was at this time Rin began to descend from the hovercraft. Bags in hand, Rin was saying, "What do you think about—" before cutting herself off at the sight of Luka.
For a moment, Luka and Rin stared at each other. Miku looked back and forth between the Cinderella and the Juliet. The memory of Luka slapping Rin across the face played in Miku's mind. Based on the looks the other two women were giving each other, it was clear they remembered as well. Luka hugged herself, and Rin hardened her gaze.
"Erm, welcome, Juliet," Luka said, her eyes now trained towards her shoes as if it was them she greeted.
"Rin," the Juliet corrected, her tone so sharp Luka flinched as if slapped.
"Rin," Luka repeated, looking anywhere and everywhere except Rin. "Would you like some help carrying your bags? I can call someone to assist you as you transport them from this hovercraft to mine."
"That won't be necessary," Miku cut in before Rin could reply. "It's only the two bags – we weren't planning on staying long after the funeral. If you could just tell Rin where to take the bags . . ."
"Oh, yes. Right." Luka turned around, rose her voice to get someone's attention, and beckoned another person to approach.
A woman with rich dark skin and dark purple hair came forward. She wore a simple pink and purple dress that gave away her status as a servant, but her cerulean butterfly tattoo indicated that she was an Alice. When she was within reach, the woman stopped and bowed her head towards Luka. She opened her mouth to speak, but her demeanor froze when she saw something. Her icy blue eyes were locked onto something behind them, and Miku slowly turned her head to see what caught the Alice's interest.
Rin met Miku's gaze before she returned her attention towards the Alice. The way Rin held the bags exposed her blood rose tattoo. Based on Luka's previous thoughts and feelings towards Juliets, Miku swallowed as she wondered what those who served under Luka's family thought of the lower caste.
"Merli," Luka began, either oblivious to the woman's surprise or choosing instead to ignore it, "take, um, Rin to the loading bay. Once everything is put away, find me and Ms. Hatsune having tea in the port gazebo. You two are more than welcome to join us."
It took more than a moment, but Merli found her voice. "Yes, m'lady. Will that be all?"
"That will be all, thank you."
Nodding again, Merli looked towards Rin and slowly said, "Right this way . . . Rin."
As if made of clockwork, Merli spun towards the other direction and began walking away. She didn't turn around to see if Rin followed behind. For a moment, Rin didn't. It was as Miku was about to ask Rin what was wrong when the Juliet finally trailed after the Alice. The two briskly walked away, and Miku dreaded to think what the Alice might say or do to Rin when they were alone.
"I'm a terrible person."
Luka's comment dragged Miku's attention away from Rin and onto her fellow Cinderella.
Wringing her fingers, Luka added, "She probably hates me. I couldn't blame her if I wanted to. I would hate me, too."
What Miku wanted to say was, "Rin doesn't hate you," but since Miku did not know Rin's feelings towards Luka, what she said instead was, "It isn't too late to apologize."
"How could I apologize?" Luka shook her head. "I was rude to her. I slapped her without remorse. She more than likely blames me for Gumi's execution – I know Rin and Gumi were dear friends. Gumi told me a little about the Juliets with whom she was closest. Rin's name came up the most. I always suspected your Juliet was Rin, but now that I know . . ."
"Luka." Miku stepped forward and took Luka's hands in her own. "Just the fact you're showing regret already proves how sorry you are. All you have to do now is tell Rin those words. I know it's easier said than done, but I know you can do it."
Luka kept shaking her head, tears now rising up and falling down her pale cheeks. "What difference will it make? I know she won't forgive me. Not that I deserve it in the first place."
"Whether or not Rin forgives you is her own business," Miku replied. "Your only job is to tell her that you're sorry. That's all you have to do."
"I can't. I can't." Now Luka began to cry, repeating "I can't" the whole time as her tears fell faster and harder.
Not knowing what else to do, Miku pulled Luka into a hug and let the pinkette sob onto her shoulder. Luka wasted no time burying her face in the crook of Miku's neck. The only other thing Miku could think to do was rub slow, small circles on Luka's back until her friend cried out all the tears she was going to shed.
As soon as they were no longer surrounded by witnesses, Merli turned around and advanced towards Rin. There was no hesitance for Rin to drop her and Miku's bags. The two girls collided with each other, holding each other in a tight embrace as each began to cry.
"Oh, my God, Rin," Merli said, holding Rin close to her. "I heard about Nero. I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I wish there was something I could have done for you."
Not having a response, Rin clutched onto Merli. Back in another lifetime, Rin and the Alice used to sit with their displays next to each other and sold their work to travelers passing through their village. Merli was the closest thing to a friend Rin ever had in the village, and she knew Merli felt the same when she confessed as much the day she announced that she was leaving. After their parting, Rin never expected to see Merli again.
"Tell me, Rin," Merli began, breaking the hug and smiling through her tears as she brushed some of Rin's hair out of her face, "how have you been? Well, other than losing Nero. I heard about the accident shortly after it happened, but from then on, there was no news of you to speak of."
"It's a long story I will have to share with you another time," Rin replied, suddenly hyper aware of the burn mark on her exposed forearm. "How about you? I know you were returning home to your parents, but how did you end up here, working under Ms. Megurine in the Feyre District?"
Merli sighed. "The same tragic fall from grace you hear about every other well-off family. Father gambled away all the family money and funds, killed himself over the financial ruin, and Mother died of a broken heart not even a year later."
The cold way Merli said it gave Rin chills. She knew Merli never forgave her parents for selling her sister, but she wouldn't have imagined Merli would hold such a grudge. Then again, Rin wasn't convinced she would have been too upset either if she somehow got news that her own father no longer lived.
"Fortunately," Merli continued, shrugging, "I had found work before all our money was lost. My safety net might have been taken away, but I was making enough to feel secure. I took job after job in pursuit of building my career, working my way up from a cleaning lady to a cook to a head of maids. About a year ago, I found the Megurines. A rather prejudice family, no surprise considering both mother and daughter are Cinderellas, but they pay extremely well and give me the responsibilities I desire. All in all, I consider myself to be in a good place."
Picking up the bags and carrying them as she and Merli resumed their trip, Rin quickly told Merli the main points of what had happened in her life since Nero's passing. Rin told Merli about being sold by her father to the Cinderella Academy, about how she became a shadow of sorts to Miku, and about the attack on the academy that resulted in the funeral their respective Cinderellas prepared to attend. What Rin did not share, however, was her involvement with Master Tonio, her relationship with Gumi, and the part Rin played in helping the Thorns infiltrate the school in the first place.
Although Merli wasn't classist, Rin knew Merli wouldn't be the kind of person to use violence as a means to fight for Juliet rights. Had Rin not been overwhelmed with everything that happened leading up to her agreement to help, Rin would have warned Master Tonio of the upcoming attack. Only Rin did agree to help the Thorns and warned nobody of their plans. It didn't matter that Rin was unaware what the true intents were, not when she shouldn't have been so foolish as to believe the Thorns wanted nothing more than to assassinate Mistress Prima. That was what the Juliets inside the academy wanted. The Thorns couldn't have cared less about Mistress Prima. Even now, Rin knew Mistress Prima was still roaming free, untouched by the attack Rin thought was meant to end her life.
Now knowing Mistress Prima had been in on the attack the whole time only further proved how foolish Rin had been. Rin was the one who planted the bomb that made it easier for the Thorns to infiltrate the academy for whatever purpose they deemed the attack necessary. People were needlessly killed because Rin helped let their murderers in. Ms. Yuzuki, who had been nothing but kind to Rin, was killed by Cul, who Rin had previously considered a friend. Everything that had happened that day was Rin's fault, and all the innocent blood was on Rin's hands and nobody else's.
Those were the things boiling in the back of Rin's mind, but she shared none of it with Merli. The burden was Rin's to bear, weighing her down and making each and every day since a challenge to live through. If Merli knew the truth about Rin, she would be just as repulsed by Rin as Rin was of herself.
That was why Rin's heart skipped a beat when Merli announced, "Whoa, you certainly have been through a lot. Well, at least you and I are both attending our mistresses to this funeral. There will be plenty of time for you and me to catch up!"
The governess of the Winter Continent had been reached by the head of the Benevolence, or the "Empress," as Meiko heard she was called. This was some of the information Luki had uncovered back when he was an undercover spy infiltrating the governess's mansion as a butler. Apparently, the Empress had promised Governess Lumi all of Artemis in exchange for helping her seize the planet for her control.
"Only," Tonio said after Luki had explained what he had learned during his time spying on the governess, "this so-called 'Empress' promised Prima the same thing. Considering I doubt any of these women helping the Benevolence are aware who's also on this team, let alone in contact with each other, they are unaware their precious empress is playing them all for fools."
Luki nodded. "As far as Governess Lumi is aware, only the Winter Continent has teamed up with the Benevolence."
"Only there's someone from every continent on the empress's side," Kaito muttered.
Without Kaito's saying more, Meiko was reminded of the assassination attempt he told them about during one of their initial meetings to get to know each other. In turn, nobody from Meiko's team talked about Rei. It was still too soon, but Tonio's team was more or less aware of the recent betrayal. Still, everyone shared information that was vital for all to know. Now that the trust was established, Luki finally shared the information he had collected all those months ago with the rest of the team.
Crossing her arms, Meiko leaned against the wall and looked at both Hio and Rinto. Neither of them wore readable expressions, but the way Hio pressed his back further into the wall he leaned against told Meiko enough. She slid her eyes over the others, and their expressions were just as masked.
"So," Meiko drawled, "what are we going to do? Kill the governess?"
"Sakine," Big Al said, his tone alone her only warning.
However, Meiko shrugged and continued, "We want to take out the people who have contact with the Benevolence, don't we? If we're going to stop a problem, it's best we go for the root."
"Yes, the root," Tonio agreed, "but your eyes are locked on the wrong target. The governess isn't the root here, but the Benevolence itself. If we're going to 'take out' anyone, it should be the empress."
"Which we need to plan how to find anyway," Kaito stated, tilting his head up so that he would have to look down on Meiko, the only stance he would take whenever addressing her. "Instead of nipping away at the Benevolence's lackeys, we should use them as a ladder to the head of the Benevolence herself."
Not liking the way Kaito talked down to her, Meiko replied, "As if it's going to be that simple. From our knowledge, this empress has yet to meet anyone in person. Even if we found someone willing to give us directions to her freaking house, I doubt we would be invited inside for tea and cookies."
"Better than what you suggested."
"At least I'm offering real ideas here and not just assuming that by tossing in my two silver pieces, I'm contributing any to the cause."
"Please. What have you contributed to the cause other than setbacks and screw ups?"
Face burning hot, Meiko began, "Why you son of a—"
"That's enough!" Tonio snapped, and Meiko and Kaito went quiet.
Before anything else could be said, Luki let out a hearty laugh. Clutching his stomach, Luki laughed so hard he sank for the floor. All the others could do was watch him as if he were losing whatever was left of his mind.
When Luki had finally calmed down enough to speak again, all he said was, "This is going to be one very, very interesting mission."
Meiko looked at Kaito, growled in her throat when they made eye contact, and returned her attention to Luki. "What do you mean?"
"That's . . . what we were getting ready to tell you," Big Al said as he scratched the back of his neck. "We need Luki, as well as Tonio's and my best men, to go undercover."
"There's reason to believe the headmistress of the Cinderella Academy of the Winter Continent has been contacted as well," Tonio continued. "Luki's digging helps to confirm as much. Ona, we will need you to go back to school."
"Geez," Ona rolled her eyes, "not even a terrorist attack on my former school can keep me out of an academy. I can't escape getting educated."
"You will be fine," Tonio said, waving a dismissive hand in the air. "Your leg healed, didn't it?"
"Okay," Meiko said, eyes going back and forth between the older men, "but what does any of this have to do with Luki laughing like some kind of mental person?"
"Simple, my dear Meiko," Luki replied, his eyes locked onto hers, "of the men they wanted to send with me on this mission, Tonio picked Kaito, and Big Al picked you. I'm just laughing at the idea of you two working together when you both act the way you do."
Breath caught in her chest, Meiko looked at Kaito. He looked back at her. When Kaito narrowed his eyes, Meiko did the same to let him know she felt no differently.
They were going to work together, sure, but neither of them was going to like it.